The term ‘co-design’ is surfacing in conversations, piquing people’s interests, and appearing on meeting agendas. What we are experiencing in our work is a strong desire by human and health services to learn more about the essentials - what is co-design, why do it, how to do it, and does it have staying power? This blog provides some answers.

How might we engage people, and their families, in more meaningful and purposeful ways? This question has been plaguing the human services sector for decades, and for many organizations it is a top priority. Why? Because without the input, insights and involvement of people and their families, organizations are left to make assumptions about stakeholders’ needs. When wrong, time and money is spent on delivering bland, mediocre services, putting out fires and sometimes mending fences.